KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) is urging the Ministry of Human Resources to expedite amendments to the labour laws to provide equitable legislation especially in the firing and hiring of employees.

FMM vice-president Raja Datuk Abdul Aziz Raja Muda Musa said this has been a longstanding issue with employers who have been repeatedly calling for the removal of rigidities in the law to terminate employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of the employment contract.

"Laws must also be clear, simple and easy to understand. Laws must be sufficiently flexible to remain relevant with time and encourage productivity growth and good work culture," he said when opening an FMM Seminar on "Amendments to the Employment Act 1955 & New Provisions on Sexual Harassment" here today.

Employers believe changes in the law, relating to the hiring and firing process, in the private sector is a step in the right direction in improving productivity and efficiency.

Moreover, a lenient exit policy for under-performing civil servants are already being implemented in the public sector and the private sector too believe they will benefit from a similar policy.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Ministry deputy secretary-general (Policy and International) Mohd Sahar Darusman, who delivered a keynote address at the seminar, noted that laws relating to employment and industrial relations would be continually improvised.

This is pertinent in meeting the needs of employers and employees and in preparing Malaysia to join the league of high-income nations.

He said this year would see the second phase of amendments being made to the Employment Act 1955 and the revision of the Industrial Relations Act 1967.

The Employment Act 1955 has been amended 11 times since 1957 with the last amendment passed by Parliament on Dec 22, 2011, amending clauses relating to overtime, payment of wages, sexual harassment, welfare and maternity leave.

-- BERNAMA